ACTIVISTA disapproves Dr. Ceesay’s arrest, appointment of Musa Susso

Gambian
young people remains resolute in their disapproval of the recent arrest of
University of The Gambia political science lecturer Dr. Ismaila Ceesay and the
appointment of former President Yahya Jammeh’s APRC party a one-time national
assembly member Musa Susso as President Barrow’s youth adviser.

The
latest youth empowerment organisation to show their condemnation of the two
developments is Activista The Gambia, a youth network that focuses on
campaigning and advocacy through mobilization and engagement of youth at local,
national and international levels on issues that affects their lives and
livelihoods.

As
an advocacy group that stretches its arm to fighting against all forms of
injustice and violation of human rights, Activista said the arrest of Dr.
Ismaila Ceesay and the appointment of Musa Susso as the presidential adviser on
youth matters do not reflect the real meaning of the birth of a New Gambia.

Dr.
Ceesay has been in the helm of the struggle during Gambia’s last political
impasse emanating from the 2016 Presidential election. When former President
Jammeh insisted on power after he was defeated by President Barrow, it was Dr.
Ceesay who called on him to step down and respect the will of Gambians as a
member of the University’s faculty. “Dr Ceesay is a patriot who serves as a
role model to many young people and a good citizen of The Gambia. He has been
in the forefront during the struggle and led a movement that played a crucial
role to the birth of the New Gambia,” the organisation said.

They
said like any other Gambian, Dr. Ceesay has a right to freedom of expression
which is guaranteed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which guarantees freedom of
expression under Article 19 and Article 9 respectively, of which The Gambia is
a signatory and should not be intimidated or harassed for performing his duties
as a Political Scientist and a commentator.

Dr.
Ceesay deserves to have his rights respected and protected by The Gambia
Government for that is The Gambia we voted for and The Gambia we want.
“Activista joins the rest of the youth fraternity to condemn these acts in
totality. We demand that the government
desist from such acts and to publicly apologize to Dr. Ceesay and the rest of
the country and promise not to repeat such acts.

They
said Gambia need an inclusive and accountable government that will respect the
rule of law, treat every citizen equally and create the enabling environment
for a rapid national development.

On
the appointment of Musa Suso as Presidential adviser on youth matters, the
network members registered their disappointment, calling the choice a wrong
pick and urged the president to rescind the appointment. “There are experienced
and competent youth in this country to advice the president on youth matters.”

On
the establishment of Adama Barrow Foundation for Inclusive Development and
Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Foundation, the network said they are hugely concerned
and taken aback by the move by the president. “Foundations like the ones
established by the former President Yahya Jammeh serves nothing other than
institutionalising corruption.”

The network says President Barrow has a
responsibility of being an exemplary leader hence he must dissociate himself
and his government from any action that is reminiscent of the ugly past.

We
therefore call on the President to disband these foundations and focus his
attention in reconciling the nation, improving governance and defend
fundamental human rights of the people.

We
voted for a Gambia where people live in justice and dignity; a Gambia where
citizens can freely express their opinion without fear of reprisal; a Gambia
where corruption is not institutionalized, but eradicated.